Bibi Goes on the Offensive

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Israel’s periodic skirmishes with Hamas usually give a boost to the prime minister and senior defense officials, at least at the start. The impressive display of Israel’s military might confers an aura of invincibility on the country’s leadership. (Before things tend to go downhill, of course; Hamas responds with barrage after barrage of missiles, and the operation ends with a whimper, usually through Egyptian mediation — until the next time.)

But last week’s clash with Hamas gave Binyamin Netanyahu just such a moment of catharsis. After a long period of stagnation, Netanyahu was able to reestablish deterrence on all fronts in one fell swoop. There are no more game-ending blows in the Middle East, but after an unbroken string of failures from the first day of his term, Bibi is back to his old self, proving once again that he always has a trick up his sleeve.

One could say that the first day of Operation Shield and Arrow in Gaza, which saw the elimination of three Islamic Jihad leaders in the dead of night, was Netanyahu’s best moment ever since his swearing-in four months ago. It was the first time since he formed his sixth government that Netanyahu took the reins and switched from defense to offense.

On March 27, Netanyahu announced at a press conference forced on him by the massive protest wave that he was taking matters into his own hands. That quickly became a farce; he had to revoke the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Galant before his staff could print out the letter. But now, seven weeks later, Bibi has receipts to show — not just for defense and diplomacy, but also for political savvy.